Air Shocks (how to charge them with nitrogen???)

[Roctoy]

I got the Sway Away Race Runner Airshox yesterday and was wondering if there is anywhere on the web that has instructions on how to charge them with nitrogen, i know it's somewhere between 180 and 200 psi.
Do they need oil, if so how much and what type.

I can hire a small bottle of nitrogen from the local BOC for $30, what fittings / regulator do i need as the shocks look to have a schroder valve on them (similar or the same as a car tyre valve).

Cheers Chris

[RUFF]

Sorry to say this but Search On Pirate there is heaps of info there. Almost every vehicle is different.

[BundyRumandCoke]

Just a thought that Bob Janes sell nitrogen for tyres, and if its the same valve, perhaps they will do it.

[Bluefreak]

Most motorbike workshops should be able to do it, they use it to charge rear shockers. Just a standard car valve on them.

[planb]

billavista is the man

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... index.html

[Roctoy]

that's the exact thread i was looking for, i read it ages ago.
Thanks man.


Initial Pressure:
With suspension extended, charge shocks to 200 psi.
Set vehicle on flat ground and check ride height.
Add or subtract pressure to get the correct ride height.
(Usually 35-50% shock compression)

Oil Level:
If vehicle bottoms out to easily, but rides well, add 15cc's of oil through shrader valve.
(Release pressure and remove valve core first)
Repeat until vehicle stops bottoming.



Chris

[Roctoy]

the other thing i just found out is that a 16" travel shock does not have 16" of travel (ie the lower shock tube only comes out about 14") The 16" is measured from the centre of the bottom eye to the bottom of the upper shock barrel.

So if you are looking to buy AirShox, Fox and Swayaway are measured the same, buy the next size up from what you think you need.

Chris

[spazbot]

i read to get the full 16 travel out of the 16s you need to remove something from inside them

[Roctoy]

i read to get the full 16 travel out of the 16s you need to remove something from inside them

I ain't gonna touch em...
just whack them on, charge them and wheel them!


interesting!!!
the guys at Sway away and Fox say you can charge these shocks with Co2 instead of nitrogen, it is a slight bit less stable but way cheaper.
Chris

[Mczook]

It's best that you charge the shocks with nitrogen, as we are agent for Swayaway we would not recommend it. We are testing with CO2 but before it is finalised I would stick with nitrogen. We have regulators available if you need one but it is best you just hire a bottle.

The swayaways come with a negative spring inside, therefore when there is not enough load at extention you will not get full travel, the negative spring will not compress. The reason for the negative spring could take up a thread in itself but in summary the negative spring help with the stability of the shock therefore I would also not recommend removing it.

[ISUZUROVER]

It's best that you charge the shocks with nitrogen, as we are agent for Swayaway we would not recommend it. We are testing with CO2 but before it is finalised I would stick with nitrogen.

As discussed on pirate, if you have any moisture in a CO2 filled shock you will get carbonic acid, which may not be nice to the internal components.

[Roctoy]

It's best that you charge the shocks with nitrogen, as we are agent for Swayaway we would not recommend it. We are testing with CO2 but before it is finalised I would stick with nitrogen.

As discussed on pirate, if you have any moisture in a CO2 filled shock you will get carbonic acid, which may not be nice to the internal components.

I was never going to pull them appart.
Do you still have to put shock oil in them, or do they come pre oiled. There were no instructions etc when i got mine.

Chris